The Ford F-150 Versus the Chevy Colorado and Silverado

You need to haul a good-sized load, but you’re not sure which truck will be best – the 2015 Ford F-150, the Chevy Colorado, or maybe even the Chevy Silverado.

At a recent Texas Auto Writers Association's Truck Rodeo Pickuptrucks.com was able to do some comparison towing with these trucks. They hauled loads with a 2015 Ford F-150 equipped with the all-new 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost as well as an all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado with the 3.6-liter V-6.

They were provided with four identically equipped 500-gallon water-tank trailers — outfitted with a conventional surge-brake hitch — to put behind each of the designated vehicles. They estimated the total weight of the water and double-axle reinforced supports to be just more than 5,200 pounds. The total weight of the trailer was nearly the same as the F-150 and probably several hundred pounds heavier than the Colorado.

The Ford F-150 that was used was a midlevel XLT FX4 package and Chevy provided the Silverado 2500 Heavy-Duty Duramax and Colorado crew-cab V-6.

They reported that for the Ford, the engine seemed powerful enough to pull a 5,000-pound load wherever needed, but maybe more importantly is how calm and settled the chassis feels when pulling and hauling the weight. From hill stops and takeoffs on a fairly good grade, the truck handled smoothly and settled any road irregularities pretty quickly.

In comparison, the Colorado, since it's a smaller and lighter vehicle with a naturally aspirated gas engine, struggled a little bit more.

While driving the F-150, they averaged just more than 11 miles per gallon, while the same route in the Colorado got us just less than 9 miles per gallon. The F-150 was equipped with 3.55:1 gears, while the Colorado only comes with 3.42:1 gears.

The F-150's new EcoBoost engine automatically turns off the auto stop-start feature and does a great job in Tow/Haul mode, slowing down the truck and trailer with an aggressive software program that makes quick downshifts when slowing or braking.

The Colorado, dealing with a higher percentage of its maximum towing capacity (about 61 percent for the F-150 and about 74 percent for the Colorado), seemed to accelerate slower.

Based on these drives, both pickups seem able to do plenty of hard pulling, but the Ford (with the smaller engine) seemed to handle the load with a touch more confidence. The Chevy V-6 was only down 20 horsepower when comparing the two engines, but when towing, the torque numbers always tell the tale. The Ford EcoBoost produces 375 pounds-feet while the GM V-6 gets 269, almost a 40 percent difference.

Now let’s look at the Ford F-150 versus the Chevy Silverado.

The 2015 Ford F-150 will have a 3.7-liter V6 engine of 302 horsepower as standard. There will be a 2.7-liter V6 320 horsepower, a 3.5-liter V6 with 365 horsepower, a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 360 horsepower, and a 6.2-liter V8 with 411 horsepower.

The Chevy Silverado will have a 4.3-liter engine producing 285 horsepower as standard. It will be available with a 5.3-liter V8 from 355 horsepower and a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower.

Both models will be driven to the rear wheels or all four wheels. The engines are combined with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Ford F-150 will have a stronger motor for 17 horsepower.

The Ford F-150 and the Chevy Silverado are set on 17-inch steel or alloy wheels and there are optionally offered 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Both models are designed to accommodate three passengers. TheFord F-150 will be made ​​in three, while the Chevy Silverado will be available in two, trim levels.

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